Laura Cox on the Guitar That Changed Everything: From Her Cherry Junior to a TV Yellow SG

Anglo-French blues-rock guitarist Laura Cox once again proves that her music goes far beyond traditional guitar heroics. Her fourth album, Trouble Coming, is her most far-reaching project yet — blending raw swamp blues with modern rock and creating a sound that feels both timeless and fresh.

With her career starting on YouTube through flawless covers of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Guns N’ Roses, Laura has grown into a fully independent artist with a unique voice. And Trouble Coming pushes her musical boundaries even further.

🎵 A Song-First Approach

Even though the guitar remains the heart of Laura’s artistry, this album marks a shift in focus.

“I wanted my music to speak to people who aren’t necessarily guitar players,” Laura explains. “Some tracks don’t even have solos — that’s a first for me. I concentrated more on rhythm, vocals, melodies. Now I can enjoy the songs almost as if I didn’t write them — from the outside.”

🎛 New Creative Partners: Recording With No Money Kids

For the first time in her career, Laura stepped away from her usual band setup and collaborated with the French duo No Money Kids — known for their blues-rock approach with a modern edge reminiscent of The Black Keys.

Much of the early material was recorded at home, and surprisingly, some of those raw demo takes made it onto the album.

“You can even hear the TV in the background in places,” she laughs. “A great take isn’t the one recorded with expensive gear — it’s the one with the right intention.”

🍒 The Cherry Junior That Looks “Like a Fender”

In the video for the single No Need To Try Harder, Laura performs with a Maraschino Cherry Gibson Les Paul Junior — a guitar with a story.

“I bought it on Reverb and later realized it was the Billie Joe Armstrong signature model. It doesn’t look like a typical Junior — the humbucker suits my style perfectly, and the cherry-red body with a white pickguard makes it look almost like a Fender. It’s one of a kind.”

💛 The 1961 SG That Stole Her Heart

Another standout instrument in Laura’s arsenal is her Gibson 1961 SG Reissue in TV Yellow.

“It’s not the classic red you expect from an SG — it’s more like a Telecaster color. The neck is larger than what I usually play, but it feels great, and the stock Burstbuckers sound fantastic. I used to be a Les Paul girl for most of my career, but once Gibson sent me this SG, there was no way I could return it. Coming from Les Pauls, SGs just feel effortless.”

🛞 Slide Guitar Secrets

“For slide, the most important thing is choosing the right finger and the right size. I’m most comfortable using my middle finger, which isn’t very common. I prefer thick ceramic slides because they resonate better. Muting with the index finger keeps other strings quiet — that’s essential. And experimenting with tunings can unlock new ideas when you feel stuck.”

⚡ The SoloDallas Orbiter: Her Go-To Fuzz

Laura’s favorite fuzz pedal has a strong AC/DC connection — the SoloDallas Orbiter.

“I initially became aware of SoloDallas because of the AC/DC association. Later they offered me a chance to try the Orbiter. I’ve tried many fuzz pedals over the years, and some are extremely picky — they only sound good at specific settings. The Orbiter impressed me immediately and worked perfectly with my setup.”